The use of Westwood as a backdrop in film and media productions since October has increased exposure to the area but has also required businesses to make operational adjustments.

The Westwood Village Theater was used as a set in a Hulu show in October and a feature film in early November. Both Westwood Village and UCLA’s campus have previously been in movies like “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” and TV series like “Gilmore Girls.”

While the Village Theater closed in 2024, it is slated to reopen in 2027 after renovations and host screenings and premieres once again.

[Related: UCLA students react to Westwood Village Theater reopening in 2027]

FilmLA, the official film office of the City and County of Los Angeles, is in support of using Westwood as a set for films and shows, said Megan Furey, the Director of Programs and Partnerships at Westwood Village Improvement Association.

Furey helps facilitate communication between Westwood businesses and film crews, she said. Sometimes this work includes making changes to Westwood, such as removing modern signage, managing pedestrian flow and preventing production schedules from conflicting with major community events like the Bruin Flea market or UCLA Bruin Family Weekend.

Parts of Broxton Avenue and Weyburn Avenue were closed for public parking Nov. 5 and 6 and trailers were parked in Westwood while the crew set up the location.

Furey said that although she wants Westwood to be “film friendly,” taking care of Westwood’s businesses is her first priority.

Aeljandro Salmeron, a manager of the Westwood location of California Pizza Kitchen, which is directly across from the Village Theater, said he experienced the filming dynamic firsthand. After about seven years in management and nearly a decade in the food industry, Salmeron added that he enjoys the exposure film production brings.

However, filming can be unpredictable for his business, causing both busy and slow days, Salmeron said. He added that filming can be inconvenient for his staff and customers because he sometimes has to send staff home due to low traffic or run orders out to customers who cannot find parking.

Rabeyah Khan, a key assistant location manager who has scouted for TV and movie locations for nearly a decade, said Westwood’s mix of pedestrian traffic, close proximity to campus and historic buildings makes it particularly appealing for filming.

Her team works with local business owners to reduce disruptions while filming, Khan said. She added that they offer compensation to inconvenienced businesses and respect when they decline to be included in the shoot.

Karen Bryden, the owner of filming management and representation company SCV Locations, said that projects in Westwood require high-level coordination. Her company organized filming in both of Westwood’s historic theaters – the Village Theater and the Bruin Theater, which also closed in 2024 – for an upcoming feature film, she said.

Bryden said she worked alongside Furey to maintain order in Westwood, which she said was one of the most supportive communities she has seen throughout 30 years in the business.

“The thing that I’ve enjoyed the most is hearing about how much the community loves these theaters,” Bryden added. “How much they’ve meant to this area and the history of them, which is substantial.”